BAY MINETTE, Alabama -- Baldwin County High School’s Color Guard squad recently won top prize at the All-American Alabama Dance & Drill Team Competition, earning the title of state champions. The Color Guard and the BCHS Tigerettes dance team took part in the competition in Birmingham, which featured 15 schools from across the state.

The Tigerettes competed in three out of the five dance team categories: Pom, High Kick, and Hip Hop, and were awarded second place in both the High Kick and Pom categories.

There was only one competition category for Color Guard teams to compete and the BCHS Color Guard delivered a "flawless and exciting routine that brought the entire crowd to their feet in a standing ovation," said Elizabeth Bridges, sponsor of both groups. The BCHS Color Guard won first place in this competition, giving them the title of Alabama’s 2011 Color Guard State Champions.

BCHS Principal Johnny Cabaniss praised the squads for their "hard work, dedication and commitment to continually get better."

That work paid off, he said, in a big way. "These girls (Tigerettes) have performed on an extreme high level all year and we are very proud of this accomplishment," Cabaniss said. "In the Color Guard division, when people are using the term ‘Best Color Guard performance ever’ you know it had to be great. Our BCHS girls won the Alabama 2011 Color Guard State Championship. We are extremely proud of all these young ladies for their honors and on how well they represented BCHS, themselves, their families and our community."

Cabaniss went on to praise Bridges for her "wonderful leadership, guidance, directing and coaching of these ladies."

Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery also congratulated both squads on their accomplishments.

"We commend the dedication and tremendous efforts by our lovely and talented young ladies of the Baldwin County High School Tigerettes and Color Guard as they represented all of us at the All-American Alabama Dance & Drill Team Competition. Competing with schools all across our state, these gracious and outstanding young ladies performed intricate and challenging routines proudly bringing home well-deserved awards," Tillery said.

The 2010-11 BCHS Tigerettes and Color Guard began practicing in May, working through the summer to prepare for football season, Bridges said. As a part of the Baldwin County Marching Tiger Band, the Tigerettes and Color Guard took the field for halftime performances on Friday nights with flags, high kicks, rifle work and dance routines.

The Tigerettes and Color Guard also perform at pep rallies, basketball games and community events.

In November, the Tigerettes and Color Guard began to practice and prepare for the All-American’s Alabama competition. The last time the Tigerettes competed in the All-American Alabama Dance & Drill Team Competition was in 2002. The Color Guard had never attended the competition.

"Taking on a competition of this level was a new experience for all of the members of the teams. Nevertheless, the ladies firmly stepped up to the challenge of preparing difficult, intricate and competitive routines; practicing late nights and long hours, even during the holidays," Bridges said. "All of the hard work paid off, though, as the teams proudly brought home three trophies to Bay Minette and Baldwin County High School."

A Day of Dance class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 19 at the BCHS gym. It is open to grades 3-11 and will "be a fun day of dance instruction for beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers," Bridges said.

The cost is $25 and participants will receive a T-shirt. The day will be devoted to developing dance fundamentals, as well as learning routines with choreography taught by the Tigerettes and will end with a performance for parents.

For more information on how to register, e-mail ElizabethsBridges@gmail.com. Registration packets will also be distributed to local schools.

The Tigerettes dance team earned two trophies for winning second place in the high kick and pom categories. Squad members include, from left, front row, Amanda Nelson, Eva Dunnam, LaQuienta Porter; back row, Heather Martocci, Jennifer McDowell, Sarah Davidson, Kristy Barber, Tristian Moore, Amanda Shiver, Kaysha Jones, Taylor Robbins and Amy Cannon. Elizabeth Bridges is the sponsor for both squads.